Course description
Major program:
(6 full courses or their equivalent)
First Year:
FIN100Y1
Higher Years:
1. FIN200Y1, FIN300H1
2. Three full course equivalents from the following: FIN230H1, FIN235H1, FIN240H1, FIN250H1, FIN260H1, FIN305H11, FIN310H1, FIN320H1, FIN330H1, FIN340H1, FIN350H1, FIN410H1, FIN415H1, FIN420Y1, 430H1
Minor program:
(4 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one at the 300+ level)
Four full course equivalents from FIN
Finnish courses:
FIN 100Y - Elementary Finnish
An introductory language course for students with no knowledge of Finnish. The acquisition of a basic vocabulary and of an understanding of elementary structural features through practice in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. (Offered twice in a three year cycle)
FIN 200Y - Intermediate Finnish
The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) honed by discussion of Finnish literary texts as well as by compositions in Finnish about these texts, by a series of conversation exercises, and by analysis of morphology, syntax and word formation. Translation is used to aid in language learning. (Offered twice in a three year cycle)
Prerequisite: FIN100Y or permission of instructor
FIN 220H - Introduction to Finno-Ugric Linguistics
A survey of the linguistic structures of the Finno-Ugric languages including Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian. Focus is to gain insights into workings of non-Indo-European languages. No prior knowledge of Finno-Ugric languages or linguistics required.
FIN 230H - Finnish Culture 1800 to Present
FIN230H offers an introduction to Finnish society, history and culture 1800 to present. The course examines the rise of Finnish nationalism in the 1800s, its main manifestations, particularly the developments of its cultural, educational and social institutions, its economic structures, its demographics, as well as the nation's bilingual status.
Exclusion: FIN210Y
FIN 2235H - Finnish Literature 1800 to Present
FIN235H surveys the major works in Finnish literature 1800 to present by examining its role in the implementation of the agenda of Finnish nationalism in the 19th and the 20th century. The major genres and periods in Finnish literature are studied.
Exclusion: FIN210Y
Recommended preparation: FIN230H
FIN 250H - Finnish Cinema
Development of Finnish cinema from its parochial beginnings to its international recognition. The great pastoral tradition; the war memories (Laine, Kassila, Parikka); socio-political engagement of the 60s
(Donner, Jarva), the paucity of the 70s (Mollberg); the universal outsider themes of the 80s (Aki and Mika Kaurismaki). Readings and subtitles in English. (Offered in alternate years)
FIN 260H - Scandinavian Cinema
Major developments of cinema in Scandinavia in the 20th century with concentration on the major film makers of Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Screening of films by directors such as Victor Sjostrom, Mauritz Stiller, Alfi Sjoberg, Ingmar Bergman, August Bille, Carl Th. Dreyer, Gabriel Axel, Nils Gaupe, Aki and Mika Kaurismaki.
FIN 300H - Advanced Finnish
FIN300H Advanced Finnish provides a continuation of FIN200Y Intermediate Finnish.
Prerequisite: FIN200Y or permission of instructor
Exclusion: FIN300Y
FIN305H1 Finnish Morphology and Syntax
Finnish Morphology and Syntax is designed to present the Finnish morphological system and the principles of Finnish syntax to students interested in general linguistics, morphology, syntax, or Finnish linguistics. The Finnish case system, the verb conjugation system and phenomena such as consonant gradation, vowel harmony and clitics will be explored.
Prerequisite: Introduction to linguistics or FIN100Y
FIN 310H - Finnish Folklore: The Kalevala
An examination of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala: its relationship to the tradition of folk poetry; its quality as an epic poem; the mythological, religious, and cultural dimensions of its world view; its role in Finland's nation building in the 19th and 20th centuries. Readings in English. (Offered in alternate years)
FIN 320H - The Finnish Canadian Immigrant Experience
Major issues and dimensions of the culture and experience of the Finnish immigrants to Canada, including Finnish Canadian literature, theatre, and press. Conceptual and ideological contributions to working class culture, women's lives, religious and social attitudes and values. Readings in English. (Offered in alternate years)
FIN 330H - Regional Origins of Finnish Culture
The course traces the construction of a unified Finnish culture over the centuries from subcultures and values which ultimately have their definitions in the regional diversity of the area now called Finland. It focuses on the main divisions into western and eastern Finland, but also explores the Swedish and the Sami (Lappish) heritage in the context of old cultural regions. The sources used are cultural history texts as well as Finnish literature.
FIN 340H - Finland-Swedish Literature and Culture
An examination of the major Finland-Swedish authors (Rune Coerg, Tgrelicks, Sodergran, Tove Jansson) and the linguistic reality of Finland as it has changed over time. The distinctly Finland-Swedish culture is
explored, analysed and assessed in its Finnish and Scandinavian context. Cultural giants are studied (Sibelius, etc.).
FIN 350H - The Finnish Short Story
Historical, structural, and thematic study of the short fiction of Finland from the Romanticism of the 19th century to contemporary post-structuralism and post-modernism. Works of Runeberg, Topelius, Kivi, Canth, Aho, Jotuni, Lehtonen, Schildt, Sillanpaa, Haanpaa, Meri, Hyry, Salama, Mukka, Liksom, Hulden, and others. Readings in English. (Offered in alternate years)
FIN 410H - Finnish Literature 1700-1900 (in Finish)
A chronological study of the development of Finnish literature, emphasizing outstanding writers, significant movements and trends, the emergence and transformations of the major genres and their relationship to Finnish folklore and to the national awakening. Readings in Finnish. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: FIN300Y
FIN 415H - Finnish Literature in the 20th Century
This course examines the main literary works and genres of 20th Century Finland, especially Jotuni, Sillanpää, Haanpää, Meri, Manner, Linna, Tuuri and a sample of contemporary writers. The readings are in Finnish. Prerequisite: Reading ability in Finnish
Exclusion: FIN410Y
Recommended preparation: FIN410H
FIN 420Y - Independent Study
A reading and research project
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
FIN 430H - Independent Study
A reading and research project
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
